Words to know

accept praise for something, fairly or unfairly

tell someone an idea to hear their opinion

start talking about a subject

Step 1 of 5

Listen first

No text yet. Listen for who, where and what goes wrong.

NiaRyan

Practice · 3 min

Take Ryan's part first, then Nia's. Nia is calm and very clear. She's upset, but she keeps her voice steady, which makes her stronger. Ryan starts relaxed, then realizes his mistake. Copy the sinking "Did I? Oh no."

  1. NiaRyan, got a minute? There's something I want to bring up.
  2. RyanSure. Great meeting today, by the way. The team loved the plan.
  3. NiaThat's what I want to talk about. The plan for the weekend delivery service.
  4. RyanThe idea went over really well. Our manager wants to start in March.
  5. NiaIt was my idea, Ryan. I ran it by you last Thursday, over lunch.
  6. RyanThursday... right, at the noodle place.
  7. NiaYou presented it today like it was yours. You didn't mention me once.
  8. RyanI'm sure I said we'd been talking about it.
  9. NiaYou said, "I've been thinking about this for a while."
  10. RyanDid I? Oh no. I think I did say that.
  11. NiaI sat there and didn't know what to say. It felt awful.
  12. RyanNia, I'm really sorry. I got excited and didn't think.
  13. NiaI believe you. But everyone now thinks it's your project.
  14. RyanI don't want to take credit for your work. That's not okay.
  15. NiaSo how do we fix this?
  16. RyanI'll email our manager and the team right now. I'll say it was your idea.
  17. NiaYou don't have to make it dramatic. Just clear.
  18. RyanClear, then. And you should lead the project, not me.
  19. NiaThank you. And next time, I'll present my own ideas.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.